Developer services

WWDS-DEV 001G Water supply (mains and service connections)

Guidance notes and procedure

Step 1 Application form

Please complete the application form and return it with a site location plan to:

New Connections, Developer Services, Wessex Water, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7WW.

Tel: 01225 526 222 Email: section.41@wessexwater.co.uk

An acknowledgement letter will be sent to you within five calendar days and an estimate for the cost of the new main
will normally be sent to you within 28 calendar days (subject to receiving all the necessary information). Please note, if
your site layout changes and it is necessary to produce another estimate, additional charges may apply.

Step 2 Making payment

Payment can be made by cheque made payable to Wessex Water Services Ltd or by credit card.

Step 3 Construction
We will contact you and advise you of a number to ring to arrange for the main to be laid. When the main is laid, please
contact New Connections to arrange for the connection surveys to be carried out.

If you require a new service connection:

Step 1 Application form

Please complete the application form and return it with a site location plan to:

New Connections, Developer Services, Wessex Water, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7WW
Tel 01225 526 222 Email supplyconnectionenquiries@wessexwater.co.uk

An acknowledgement letter will be sent to you within five calendar days and a supply survey and quotation for the
work will normally be sent to you in 28 calendar days. Please note, if your site layout changes and it is necessary to
carry out another supply survey, additional charges may apply.

Step 2 Water regulations approval

For certain types of development, you will be required to provide a schematic drawing of the hot and cold water
systems and heating prior to the connection being carried out.

Step 3 Trench inspection

Your trench and private service pipe will need to be inspected prior to the connection being carried out. Please
telephone New Connections on 01225 526 222 to arrange the inspection, giving at least two working days notice.

Step 4 Making payment

Payment can be made by cheque made payable to Wessex Water Services Ltd or by credit card by contacting New
Connections.

Step 5 Arranging the connection

On completion of Steps 1-4 we will contact you and advise you of a number to ring to arrange the connection. Please
allow 21 calendar days for connection. However, highway restrictions may cause a delay of up to three months.

Do not send any money with this application form. We will send you an estimate/quotation from the information you
have provided. Please note that if a new public water main is required, quotations for the service connections cannot
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be produced until the new main has been laid.

WWDS-DEV001G April 2018 page 1 of 10

These guidance notes are provided to assist you in completing the water supply (mains and connections) application
form. All relevant sections should be completed as insufficient information can result in the application being delayed
or returned.

1 Main and/or service connection

Please refer to the diagram below to determine whether you require a connection from our existing water supply
system or whether you require a new water main and service connections.

Connection when a new water main is required

New service connection

Connection from an existing main

New water main

New service connection

Existing water main

Existing water main

2 New water mains

Positions of utility services
Wessex Water will lay new water mains in accordance with
the National Joint Utilities Group (NJUG) guidelines on the
positioning and colour coding of utilities apparatus and
expects developers to ensure that other utilities also lay 450mm
their apparatus in accordance with the NJUG guidelines. 200 100 100
mm mm mm
The reason for this is to safeguard the health and safety
of our staff and to ensure that our apparatus remains Min
accessible for future maintenance. Please refer to the 750mm
diagram.
Not less Electric
If Wessex Water’s apparatus is obstructed by other than
Telecom
utility apparatus laid subsequent to our own main laying 300mm
radius Gas
operations or by other obstacles, ie, scaffolding etc, we
reserve the right to suspend individual property tappings
or other related work, until the correct access is provided.
In these instances, the developer will incur an abortive Water
charge of £75 and pay any associated costs.

As an alternative to us laying the main, the developer can provide a main under self lay arrangements. The developer
or its self lay provider (SLP) must be accredited.

We will provide an estimate of our costs. Upon completion of the main and connection to our network, we will make
a contribution towards the cost of the main which reflects the income we are likely to receive from the properties
expected to be served by it. Our self lay policy can be found on our website: www.wessexwater.co.uk
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 3 Service connections
Our company pipe, at your expense, will be connected to your private service pipe at the nearest suitable water main.
Where our main lies within a street, our company pipe will be brought to the edge of that street for connection to your
service at the stop tap and meter box. It is your responsibility to arrange access to enter any private land and pay for
and install any additional length of private service pipe needed between your property and the point of connection.

Connection where main is in the street fronting the property

Private service pipe laid by customer

Meter

Communication pipe laid by water company

at the expense of the applicant

Water main

Connection where no main is located in the street fronting the property

Water main Communication pipe laid by water company

at the expense of the applicant
Meter

Street boundary Private

service
pipe
laid by
customer Property boundary

You must not, without Wessex Water’s consent, attach any pipe or apparatus to a water main or to a service pipe which
supplies water to a premises. It is a criminal offence under section 174(3) of the Water Industry Act 1991 (“the 1991
Act”) to do this. The offence carries a penalty on conviction of up to £1,000.

It is Wessex Water’s policy always to prosecute developers who attach pipes or apparatus to water mains in
contravention of section 174(3) of the 1991 Act. In addition Wessex Water will take steps in the civil courts to recover
any loss or damage it sustains as a result and will include a claim for the cost of separation of service pipes, the making
of separate connections to its water mains and infrastructure charges where applicable.

Your pipe should be blue medium density polyethylene (mdpe) and laid in a trench at a depth of at least 750mm and
no more than 1,350mm. The pipe should be laid on and protected from stones by sand or fine material, or installed in
a suitable duct. The private service pipe should be at least 25mm diameter. Larger pipes may be needed for very long
pipe runs. Developers will be required to provide a chlorination certificate for pipes of 50mm outside diameter and
above before the connection can be carried out.

Where pipes enter the building they must be passed through a continuous duct and sized accordingly so that the
service pipe can be readily removed and replaced. Pipes shall be insulated where necessary with a minimum of 19mm
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rubberised foam.

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 Methods of service pipe entering a building

More than Any Less than

750mm Solid distance Suspended 750mm Solid
internal internal internal
floor floor floor

Not less Not less Not less

than than than
750mm 750mm 750mm

Sealed Pipe laid in duct – Sealed Pipe laid in duct – Sealed Pipe laid in duct –
no insulation required insulation required insulation required

The pipe must be terminated at a suitable stop valve, which should be located inside the dwelling above floor level
and near to entry point of building. Stop valves in underground chambers or communal hallways will be an extra
requirement on separately occupied/owned premises (ie, flats) above ground floor level.

Service pipes and ducts should be laid in straight runs and should not cross neighbouring building plots. When laying
multiple service pipes together, the tails of the pipes must be labelled to indicate plot numbers. Where multiple service
pipes are laid in the same trench, we will require internal stop taps to have been fitted inside the new properties
before fitting the meters. This will help to prevent misconnections and avoid future water metering issues with our
customers. If the tails are not labelled, the connections will not be carried out and an abortive visit charge of £75 will
be made.

For the safety of our staff we require ducts in the highway and on sites to be blue. We will not lay services in ducts of
other colours or designation and will not share ducts with other utilities.

Where multiple occupations occur within a single curtilage, provision should be made to locate the meters at the
boundary of the property or in a communal area with 24 hour access for reading and maintenance.

For the safety of our staff we will not make connections or carry out work underneath or in the vicinity of scaffolding.
Please ensure that all scaffolding is removed before requesting connection to avoid an abortive visit charge of £75.

Typical domestic fire sprinkler installation

To sprinkler system To domestic supply

32mm MDPE 25mm MDPE

Lever operated
Site boundary full way valve X Site boundary

X M
32mm MDPE
Water meter
Boundary stop tap
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Water company main

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 4 Water regulations

The water fittings regulations are national requirements for the design, installation and maintenance of plumbing
systems, water fittings and water using appliances.

Their purpose is to prevent inefficient use of water, waste, misuse, undue consumption or erroneous measurement of
it and, most importantly, to prevent contamination of drinking water.

In England and Wales they replace the former water supply byelaws.

Wessex Water has a legal duty to enforce the water regulations. Owners and occupiers of premises, and anyone
who installs plumbing systems or water fittings, have the legal duty to ensure that the systems comply with the
regulations.

If you do not use a member of one of the schemes listed below, plans will be required for all new domestic premises as
well as industrial, commercial and agricultural purposes:

• The Water Industry approved Plumbers’ Scheme (WIAPS)

• Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors (AHPC)
• Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE)
• Scottish & Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation (SNIPEF)
• Anglian Water’s A Plus
• Severn Trent’s Watermark
• Thames Water’s TAPS

If you use a member of one of the above schemes, plans will not be required for new domestic premises, although they
will be required for industrial, commercial and agricultural proposals. For further information on approved plumber
schemes, please visit www.watersafe.org.uk

Please allow at least 10 working days for approval to be granted.

For the erection of any new building or structure, advance notification must be given to the water company
before work starts on any proposed installation. We will provide water regulations type approval for large housing
developments with properties of a similar design and plumbing arrangements. An example of the type of information
required is given below.

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WWDS-DEV001G April 2018 page 5 of 10

Whole site back-flow protection. To prevent pollution of the public water supply system, the use of whole site
backflow protection in addition to point of use protection will be required for high water users or where a development
is categorised as high risk. The decision as to whether a development is high risk will be assessed on information
provided with the water regulations notification.

The installation and maintenance of the back-flow device will be the responsibility of the customer. It is essential that
routine maintenance is carried out on the device to prevent pollution to the public water supply. It shall be located as
close to the site boundary as possible and be Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS) approved.

Although a schematic drawing is not required for a standpipe, trough or compound supply, these installations must
comply with water regulations. Please see following typical installations.

Typical standpipe installation

Tap to be securely
fixed to the box
Hasp and Mounting stake
staple Hose union tap
Pipe clips mounted off
to allow for insulation

Copper to BS 2871
Pipe insulated in
accordance with
BS 6700 against
damage from frost
Lockable weatherproof box Drain tap
Double check valve
Copper to polyethylene fitting (optional)
Waterproof insulation carried to
750mm below ground level

Stop tap
chamber Polyethylene to BS 6572
750mm to
1350mm depth
Stop tap to
BS 5433

Ends to be sealed
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WWDS-DEV001G April 2018 page 6 of 10

 Typical animal drinking trough
Rigidly fixed float Removeable cover
operating valve locked in position
Spillover level
Type AB air gap

Water level controlled

to be not less than 25mm Water level
below spillover level

Servicing
valve
Ground level

Separation plate
750mm Waterproof prevents damage
minimum pipe insulation by cattle
depth of material
cover

All parts to be protected against damage by cattle

5 Contaminated land

Wessex Water has an obligation under the Water Supply(Water Fittings) Regulations to safeguard against
contamination of water supplied through its pipes. Accordingly, all service pipes must provide adequate protection
from organic or inorganic contaminants and toxic substances that may be present within the soil. Such contaminants
can pose a serious human health hazard as they can permeate through pipe materials and pollute the water supply.
They can also accelerate the deterioration of pipe materials resulting in premature failures, leakage and loss of water
quality.

Please note that where oil central heating systems are installed, barrier pipe must be used.

In order to determine the likelihood for contaminants to be present within site soils or groundwater, an assessment
and/or site investigation needs to be undertaken.

The Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS) Information and Guidance Note 9-0403 ‘Laying Pipes in
Contaminated Land’ has been withdrawn and developers seeking new connections must submit a Site Assessment
Report (SAR) meeting the specifications of Guidance for the Selection of Water Supply Pipes to be used in Brownfield
Sites (UKWIR ref.10/WM/03/21). This information must be sufficient to allow Wessex Water to confirm the appropriate
pipe or mitigation method. Failure by a developer to supply an adequate SAR will result in the requirement for pipes to
be laid with protection to avoid future contaminates of the water supply.

Please note that further information on the installation of water supply pipes in contaminated land can be found on
the United Kingdom Water Industry Research (UKWIR) website under Report Ref. No. 10/WM/03/21 – ‘Guidance for the
Selection of Water Supply Pipes to be used in Brownfield Sites’ (www.ukwir.org).
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WWDS-DEV001G April 2018 page 7 of 10

 6 Infrastructure changes

In addition to the water supply connection costs, infrastructure charges will normally be applicable. These charges
are made under the Water Industry Act 1991 for anyone who wishes to build or develop a property. Infrastructure
charges are used to cover the cost of improving our existing network to cope with providing extra capacity for these
developments. Infrastructure charges are zero rated for VAT.

You will be required to pay the charges for a mains water supply and/or sewerage/surface water connection to our

system if you are:

• building or siting new premises. This includes houses, flats, commercial premises, institutions, permanent caravans
• converting existing premises, eg, a house into flats
• connecting existing premises to our network for the first time.

Connections can be direct to our systems or indirect via private mains, drains or sewers. The amount payable depends
on the type of development and whether a supply and/or sewer connection is required. In the case of multioccupation
developments, ie, flats, offices etc, the charges will be based on the number of water taps and water using appliances.

All other properties are charged an amount calculated using the relevant multiplier, (RM). The RM is based on the
number of taps and water fittings in the property. Each fitting is given a loading unit based on the amount of water it
uses as shown in the table below:

Water fitting/appliance Loading units

WC flushing cistern 2
Wash basin in a house 1.5
Wash basin elsewhere 3
Urinal 3
Bath (tap nominal size ¾”/20mm) 10
Bath (tap nominal size >¾”/20mm) 22
Shower 3
Sink (tap nominal size ½”/15mm) 3
Sink (tap nominal size >½”/15mm) 5
Spray tap 0.5
Bidet 1.5
Domestic appliance (subject to a min allowance of six loading units per accommodation unit) 3
Communal or c ommercial appliance not listed in table 10
Any other water fitting or outlet (including a tap – but excluding a urinal or water softener) 3
Swimming pool 24

Provided a live connection has existed to the site within the five years immediately preceding redevelopment, we will
credit the RM for the old properties. For example, where a single house is converted into four flats we will only charge
for three flats.

If your development is within Wessex Water’s supply area, the charges will be included in the quote you receive for the
water supply connection(s). A water supply will not normally be connected until all charges have been paid and all the
plumbing works have been inspected and comply with the Water Supply Regulations.

In parts of our area where another water company supplies the water, they will notify us of the supply connection.
Where applicable you will be invoiced for the sewerage infrastructure charge.
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WWDS-DEV001G April 2018 page 8 of 10

 Contact us

For enquiries regarding obtaining a new water supply connection and water regulations please contact us on:
Tel: 01225 526 222
Email: supplyconnectionenquiries@wessexwater.co.uk
Write to: New Connections, Developer Services Wessex Water, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7WW

For enquiries regarding obtaining a new public water main, please contact us on:
Tel: 01225 526 294 or 01225 526 222
Email: section.41@wessexwater.co.uk

For enquiries regarding infrastructure charges please contact us on:

Tel: 01225 526 222
Email: infrastructure.charges@wessexwater.co.uk

For information, please visit our website: www.wessexwater.co.uk/developers

Frequently asked questions

• Do I need to send any money with my application
form?
No – a supply survey will carried out and you will be
sent a quotation for the cost of the connection work
normally within 28 calendar days of your application.
• Can I connect to an existing private service pipe?
No – a separate connection is required direct from our
public water mains.
• How can I find out what pipe size and flow rates I
require?
You will need to seek the advice of a suitably qualified
plumber/engineer.
• Do you lay all the pipework to my property?
(water and sewerage) to cope with providing extra
capacity for new developments.
• I’ve paid my quotation so when will the
connection be carried out?
In addition to the connection cost it will also be necessary
to carry out a trench inspection and obtain water
regulations. Also, any pipes which are 50mm or over will
require chlorinating and a copy of the certificate sent to
New Connections prior to the work being carried out.
• What are water regulations?
These are national requirements for the design,
installation and maintenance of the internal water fittings
(ie, heating system; sinks; wcs etc). Their purpose is to
prevent inefficient use of water to prevent contamination.

No – we are responsible for making a connection onto the • What is a schematic drawing?
public water main and laying a pipe from the main to the
This is a diagram showing the above water fittings
boundary of your property. You are responsible for laying
including the appropriate backflow prevention and
the length of pipe from your property to the boundary.
integration with boiler systems.
• Can I lay my pipe in the same trench as other
• I haven’t prepared a schematic drawing – will this
utilities?
delay the quotation?
Yes – provided adequate clearance is provided between
No – we can carry on and provide the quotation without
the water pipe and other utilities. Please see NJUG
the schematic.
guidelines for requirements.
• Are the connection costs included in the offer for
• Where will my water meter be located?
the new water main?
Normally, the meter will be located at the boundary of
No – they are in addition to the cost of providing the main.
your site or at the location of our water main.
• Why do I need a soils report?
• What are infrastructure charges?
This is required so that we can assess the risk of
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Infrastructure charges are one-off payments that

potential contaminants in the ground and determine
are used to cover the cost of improving our networks
the pipe material to be used.

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Please read the guidance notes for more information

WWDS-DEV001G April 2018 page 10 of 10